Heat map of the locations of human trafficking cases reported to the NHTRC in 2014. Graphic courtesy of Polaris.
Due to tips that came in through their hotline, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) uncovered 62 human trafficking cases in D.C. in 2014. This number includes 36 cases of sex trafficking and 21 cases of labor trafficking. This information comes via the statistics that the NHTRC and advocacy group Polaris published today regarding the calls that came into their respective hotlines. The full report containing data from all fifty states and D.C. can be found here.
The 62 cases of human trafficking last year brings the number of reported cases in the District to 431 since 2007. In Maryland, 135 cases of trafficking were reported last year. That number swells to 175 new cases uncovered in Virginia.
Sex trafficking in an around the District has been on a steady rise, with its value placed at $103 million in 2007. Last year, The Protected Innocence Challenge gave D.C. a “D” on a report card that explores sex trafficking laws as they relate to minors.
Amidst this data, Polaris CEO Bradley Myles said that the 26 percent increase in calls came from human trafficking survivors. “The NHTRC’s 26 percent increase in calls directly from survivors is a testament to the incredible work of thousands of service providers and advocates across the country,” he said in a statement.
Polaris stresses that this number only reflects the number of human trafficking cases that have been reported via the hotlines and that the full scope of human trafficking eclipses these reported numbers. They also point out that due to the heightened awareness of sex trafficking, that this accounts for a greater percentage of reported cases. However, the International Labor Organization estimates that 68% of all human trafficking victims (14.2 million people) are subjected to labor trafficking.
To report human trafficking (or receive help), call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888 or text the message “BeFree” (233733) to Polaris.
